Devices will test for benzodiazepines, drivers face checks to ensure they follow prescription.
The potential consequences of driving under the influence of illicit drugs have been well flagged in the coverage of proposed new legislation, but what effect will the Road Traffic Bill 2015 have on prescription drug users?
If enacted, the bill will introduce new roadside testing machines which will be capable of detecting the presence of four drugs in a specimen of saliva provided by a driver- cannabis, cocaine, heroin and a class of legal, prescription sedatives known as benzodiazepines.
In its Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines published in March, the Road Safety Authority said benzodiazepines are the most likely psychotropic medicine to impair driving performance, and that shorter-acting sedatives are more conducive to safe driving.
Currently, gardaí have the power to stop, conduct a manual roadside impairment test on and possibly request a blood sample from any motorist who they believe may have their driving skills impaired through drug use, either prescription or non-prescription.
While this approach will continue to determine the presence of other medications, the machines’ ability to pick up on the presence of benzodiazepines means gardaí will have a stronger roadside indication of the presence of this substance.
Source: Ciarán D'Arcy, The Irish Times, 17/12/15
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